Don't Peek! A really nice chardonnay under $10

Fetzer "Valley Oaks" Chardonnay - 2008

Okay..okay...I can hear you saying "OMG" or see your rolling eyes....but this wine really is good!

Years ago I drank Fetzer "Sundial" Chardonnay.  It was reliable and inexpensive.  The "Sundial" is no longer around having faded into the past.  Fetzer rebranded the line several years ago and it is now called "Valley Oaks."  You'll find a complete line of wines with this label from Pinot Grigio to Cabernet.  All are reasonably priced.  The Chardonnay, however, gets the best ratings of the lot.

I haven't tried the Fetzer Chardonnay in quite a few years.  A few weeks back I was thumbing through Wine Spectator's October issue where they highlighted the Top 500 under $20.   When I got to the Chard section I saw this wine highlighted as a "Best Value."  I was shocked!  It received an 87 WS rating and cost about $9.  

Tonight I had some marinated grilled chicken breast along with steamed asparagus and seasoned red potatoes.  The Fetzer VO Chard was a real treat with the meal as well as by itself.  If you like an inexpensive wine for after work or need a good wine for a party....this is  your wine.

This is a medium-body wine.  At 13% alcohol it is just a tad lower than the California 13.5% standard.   According to the winery web site, it was mostly fermented in Stainless Steel with only a small amount barrel fermented and even less undergoing malolactic fermentation (a secondary fermentation process especially popular in Chardonnay production....it converts malic acid into lactic acid and creates a smooth, buttery taste).  The result is a wine reminiscent of a French white burgundy with just a hint of butter and oak.

I really liked this wine.  It was easy (almost too easy) to drink and is one heck of a buy for the price. Give it a try for a workday wine or serve it at your holiday parties.  It even comes in a 1.5 liter bottle that is even a better buy for parties.

Rating: Good/Very Good

Price  $8-10

Oh You (Velvet) Devil, You!

The Velvet Devil

2007 Merlot

Charles Smith Wines

A few weeks ago I reviewed a new Chardonnay called "Eve."  Tonight I will tell you about a sinfully delicious Merlot from the same producer, Charles Smith WInes from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.

First, let me say that I've never been a huge Merlot fan.   I can't really say why but I just typically don't find them that exciting.   There are "kick ass" cabs and equally as grand Pinots but I've never found a Merlot that rocked my socks!  I'm one of these instant gratification types--and you won'f find a cellar at my place.  I typically drink what I buy pretty quickly.

Maybe this is why I like the Charles Smith wines.  He has a line called "The Modernist Project" that is meant to be reflective of our society.....we buy wine then go home and drink it!   Hence, he produces a line of wines that are meant to be drunk immediately and are full of the flavors of the varietal it represents.  The labels are simple black and white with names sure to stand out.

Velvet Devil merlot is a light-medium bodied merlot.  Its 13.5% alcohol content is typical of American wines.  It is smooth....very, very smooth (hence the velvet moniker).  Serve this wine in the low 60's....and you'll experience a mouth full of flavor.  Too cold or too warm (don't serve it above 65 degrees) and the flavors will not stand out.

It has a great ruby red color.  I poured it in a large Spiegelau Bordeaux glass and just took in the great color and aroma.  Have you ever noticed that some Merlots have a brown tinge to them?  This merlot does not.  You'll be able to pick out plum and berry flavors.  The vintner's web site mentions "hints of chocolate."  Sure enough....stick that nose down in the glass..close your eyes...and there it is...chocolate!

Bottom line....  this is a fun wine.  It is ever so smooth.  It tastes GREAT.  It isn't complicated.  Enjoy this after work or with pork.  I had it with my "Comfort Food Sunday" meal of Navy Beans and Ham.  It was terrific!

Rating:   Very Good

Price:  $12-$13

Drink up and enjoy!

2007 Adelsheim Willamette Valley Chardonnay

I've been a fan of Adelsheim since the early 2000's after getting to taste their Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (which is always sure to please).  Adelsheim produces several tiers of Pinot Noir as well as a fine Pinot Gris.

This review covers their new Chardonnay--Willamette Valley 2007.   This label is new for the 2007 vintage. For the 2006 vintage they produced a Chardonnay titled simply "CH" but that has been discontinued and replaced by the subject of this review.

At $22, this wine is a little higher than those I normally discuss. However, I have wanted to try this one for a while and decided to give it a go.  It is not what I call and "weekday wine" but instead should be saved to pair with a meal of roasted chicken or grilled fish.

This wine is marketed as unoaked (although after research I found that 8% was fermented in barrels to add "complexity") and compares nicely to Silver by Mer Soleil and is significantly less expensive than that $35-40 bottle.

Make sure to let this wine warm a little when you take it out of the fridge.  Once it warms up to 40-45 degrees the aroma of a pear or apple orchard fills the glass.  Then, you get to experience a clean, crisp glass of a first-rate wine.  If you serve a Chardonnay right out of the fridge, the cold temperature will mask the flavors and aromas.  So.....take that bottle out and let it warm up a little bit!

Adelsheim Willamette Valley Chardonnay is a great wine and I really liked it.   Don't hesitate to give it a try.  If you like a lot of oak or a "buttery" chardonnay....you will not like this one. But, to all of you "big oak" Chard drinkers:   give the oak a rest and try some of these Naked/Unwooded/Unoaked Chardonnays.  They are a refreshing break from the often overbearing woody taste you have been getting with those "high end" chards.

Rating:  Very Good

Price:  $20-22

Note:  Adelsheim produces a few other "high end" Chardonnays.  These will be in the $40-$60 price range and are not the same as the wine reviewed here.

2006 Ten Mile -- "The Broken Road" Red Blend

This week's featured red is a red blend I heard about in Food and Wine Magazine's feature on the best wines under $15.   Ten Mile Red is produced by Ten Mile Wines in the Napa Valley and is a blend four primary varietals:  Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera and Carignane.

Over the past year I've had the opportunity to explore a good many red blends and have found them to generally be a lot of fun and easy to drink.  The California winemakers have created a niche of these blends and you should easily find them in your local wine store.

Let's cut to the chase on this one.....BUY IT NOW! It rocks!   The good news is that this one sells for less than $15.  The bad news....it may be hard to find.  For those of you in my Oklahoma stomping ground you can get this at Thru the Cellar Door but quantities are limited.

Now to the wine....this is a delightful wine with a medium body and deep rich garnet color.  The tannins are relatively low and it is easy to drink.

The nose catches hints of pepper and spice.  The palate gets deep, rich berries and fruits.  It is smooth..very smooth... and will pair well with a variety of foods.  I had it with pot roast and it was great.

I'd call this a diamond in the rough.   It is a wine of immense structure and will not disappoint.  And..it is one helluva buy.

Rating:   Outstanding

Price:   $14-$16

Van Duzer Pinot Gris - 2007

I've mentioned several times that I've become a real fan of Oregon and Washington State wines.   By far, my favorite Pinot Noirs come from Oregon (Adelsheim, Firesteed, Elk Cove, et al).  I think they have better body and, on average, are head and shoulders ahead of their California cousins.   Almost all of the major Oregon Pinot wineries also produce excellent Pinot Gris.  First...a lesson in Pinot Gris...

What is Pinot Gris?   Most likely you've heard of Pinot Grigio.  Pinot Grigio is that dry, light  white wine from Italy.  You'll find at least 10 of them from Italy in most any wine store.  You know, all of those cute shaped bottles in the Italian row.... Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio.  The same grape is called Pinot Beurot in Burgundy (France), Tokay d'Alsace in Alsace (France) and Rulander in Germany.  In the US Pacific Northwest, that grape is known as Pinot Gris  (pronounced   pee-no-gree).

Pinot Grigio from Italy (and most California PG's) is light, dry and has a lemon/citrus aroma.  It is typically a pale, straw color and has a light body.  Pinot Gris, on the contrary, has a more floral, fruity aroma with a slightly heavier body and more golden color.  Don't get me wrong...it is a dry white wine but it has more aroma and floral overtones.  Because of this, it will match up to many dishes including grilled pork and chicken.  It is also a great wine for an aperitif.

The Van Duzer Estate 2007 Pinot Gris is a nice example of an Oregon Pinot Gris.  It has a light golden color and  hints of melon and fig on the nose.   Fruity, but not over the top, it has enough body to accompany many meats.  I paired it with a thick, center cut pork chop that I seasoned and grilled along with Mushroom risotto and steamed broccoli.

Oregon Pinot's can be pricey.  Most Pinot Noir's from Oregon are in the $20-$30 price range with higher end bottles in the $40-$60 range.  Pinot Gris wines are also more pricey than their California PG counterparts.  You'll find plenty of California and Italian PG's in the $10-$15 range.  You should expect to pay $15-$20 for an Oregon Pinot Gris.  Other labels to look for are Firesteed, Adelsheim, Elk Cove, Benton Lane and Tangent.

Rating:  Very Good

Price:   $16-$18

Eve....in the wine garden...

2007 Eve Chardonnay
Charles Smith Wines

Phantom Fury

Tonight I had the opportunity to taste a really outstanding red blend from Bogle Vineyards.  Called "Phantom," this hearty red is a blend of Petit Syrah, Zinfandel and Mourvedre. With an alcohol content of 14.5 percent, it does have a little punch.  We tried the 2006 vintage which just became available in Oklahoma.   Pour a glass of this in a big, open wine glass and admire the deep ruby-garnet color!

The first whif on the nose is noticeably Zin...that sweet, dark and fruity aroma that you get on those hearty reds.  When you try this one (and I highly recommend it), swirl it around your mouth a bit at first.  That first taste hits your mouth very, very dry and the tannins from the Mourvedre tend to dominate.  However, on the subsequent drinks you'll start to experience the rich flavors of the Zin..... then the slight spiciness imparted by the Petit Syrah and a long, smooth finish.  Wood does not overpower the richness of this but aids in the smooth, dry finish.  I had this along side a Mexican casserole with beef and beans and it blended nicely.

Phantom is a full-bodied red wine and is not for the red wine newbie.  If you like Zins, Shiraz or full bodied merlot or cab you should like this.  If a lighter Pinot Noir or Grenache is your style you probably won't be happy with this one.

I've been drinking Bogle wines for years.   Bogle is known for is "value" line of wines (mainly Chardonnay and Merlot around $12) and receives consistently good ratings.  However, this wine is a definite step up and you won't (and shouldn't) find it on the lower shelves in your local store.

RATING:     VERY GOOD  

PRICE:       $18-20